Hilda Frances Young: Community connector

International Women’s Day 2021 Bernice Blimke Woman of the Year Award Recipient: Jan Moore

Congratulations to Jan Moore!

A well deserved recognition!

Jan is a dedicated Rotarian, never failing in her obligations throughout the pandemic. The Rotary Club of North Renfrew relied on Jan’s skills to keep up the management duties of membership dues, processing applications for new members, and communications. Beyond her secretarial support to the Club, she remained committed to continuous learning, always attending the online training sessions.

As Chair of the Rotary Youth Exchange, she has had to deal with the ups and downs of changing requirements during a pandemic, guiding students through an onerous application process, while continuing to support and connect with potential exchange students and their families.

Rotary initiated a new program recently and Jan readily volunteered to help establish the initiative as Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Jan, not only serves on the Board of Directors for The Deep River and Area Foodbank , but she also volunteers on site weekly, coordinating volunteers and being present on site for the work of stocking shelves, receiving deliveries and more. This has become a greater challenge as pandemic protocols limited numbers on site at any one time and the Foodbank needed to continue food supplies to clients. This often meant Jan and her colleagues were outside in all kinds of weather to greet clients or just inside the door subjected to blasts of icy cold winter each time the door was opened to serve clients from a very small work space. The challenges required commitment, good humour and teamwork.

In addition to these responsibilities, Jan finds the time to volunteer as the town’s sole representative in fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society and acts as the Team Coordinator for her church’s post-funeral lunches.

The IWD Committee is delighted to present Jan Moore, as the 2021 Woman of the Year.

A formal presentation will take place at a time and place to be arranged.

As mentioned in the introductory sentence I have known Jan Moore for many decades. Jan has three children: Michael, Catherine and Andrew. Her oldest children went to school with my children. We attended school events together and she was also a volunteer in some of the groups I was involved in. She is a great lady who is very generous with a great sense of humour. I feel privileged to call her a friend!